Karen Thomsen

Karen Thomsen, 88, of Cumberland, Iowa, passed away Monday, August 5, 2024 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA.

Karen Louise (Peterson) Thomsen was born to Louis and Bessie (VanSyoc) Peterson in Sioux City, Iowa, on August 1, 1936. She grew up in Lawton, Iowa, and was known as a very active young member of her community; a trait she would maintain all of her life. She graduated from Lawton High School in 1954 and married Ernest Henry Thomsen on May 23rd, the same year at Lawton Presbyterian Church. After marrying, they moved to a farm near Cumberland where they raised three children, Pam, Patrice and Jeff. She and Ernest remained on the farm for the rest of their lives. 

From the beginning, Karen was dedicated to the educational and developmental needs of her community and state. Serving as a volunteer member of over 20 state and local boards and/or committees, Karen maintained a strong commitment to serving others through leadership activities mainly focused on all facets of Iowa’s Public Schools and related issues. One of her proudest achievements was serving 36 years on Green Hills Area Education Agency board. When she wasn’t at a committee meeting, she was usually teaching Sunday school, working as a leader in 4-H, sewing, quilting or spending time with “B&D” club in Cumberland. Karen also loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Her love for family, traveling, community and serving others brought her joy throughout her life. Her interest in people, regardless of the place, time or circumstance, drove her desire to meet new people and make a new friends. 

She is survived by her daughters, Pamela Drummond of Mission, Kansas and Patrice Thomsen of Topeka, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Rana (Jeffrey) Thomsen of Cumberland; grandchildren, Sarah (James) Doxon, Matt (Grace) Thomsen, Lane Thomsen, Jace Thomsen, Jacob (Alyssa) Drummond and Nickolas Drummond; great grandchildren, Lucian Thomsen, Rose Thomsen, Daxton Drummond, Lincoln Drummond, Rhodes Doxon and Ben Thomsen; sister-in-law, Connie Peterson; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Karen is preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Thomsen; son, Jeffrey Thomsen; parents, Louis and Bessie Peterson; twin sister, Joyce Peterson; and brother, Dale Peterson.

Visitation with family present will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, August 8th at Roland Funeral Service, in Atlantic. A Funeral Service will be held the following morning, Friday, August 9th at 10:30 a.m. at Rolands. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery, west of Cumberland.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Karen’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.